New Discovery Could Offer Allergy Relief
Reported March 31, 2005
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — A molecule made up of cat and human proteins to block cat allergies successfully prevented allergic reactions in laboratory mice and in human cells. Researchers say this discovery could lead to a new therapy for cat allergies as well as severe food allergies.
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, created a molecule called GFD (gamma feline domesticus), with an allergy-inducing cat protein on one end and a human antibody on the other. The human antibody end binds to surface cell proteins different from the ones the cat protein binds to, which interrupts the allergic reaction.
Results show GFD reduced the amount of histamine (the chemical responsible for the itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing symptoms) by 90 percent when it was tested in blood donated by people who were allergic to cats.
The molecule also proved successful when tested in two groups of cat-allergic mice. One group was genetically engineered to have human cat-allergy cell receptors, the other set was injected with cat allergen and an immune system booster. GFD blocked allergic reactions in both groups.
Researchers believe the molecule may be able to prevent allergic reactions long after injections stop and hope this type of therapeutic approach can work to prevent severe food allergies.
SOURCE: PLOS Medicine, 2004;2(3):e78